Herbanoplex ® CP Phytogenic Premix Optimizes Cost-effective Broiler Production
Mary Foluke Oladipo *
Department of Theriogenology and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Oludayo Michael Akinsola
Department of Theriogenology and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Olusola Olalekan Oladipo
Department of Biochemistry, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Polycarp Tanko
Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Momoh-Zakari Asabe
Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
Deborah Luka Bot
Department of Theriogenology and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
One hundred and twenty unsexed one-day-old Ross broiler chicks were used to investigate the effect of Herebanoplex® CP premix (HBXP) a phytogenic premix on growth performance, some serum biochemical parameters, carcass characteristics and economics of production. They were randomly assigned to four experimental treatments with three replicates per treatment (30 birds/treatment; 10 birds/replicate) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Birds were fed with diets supplemented with 0 (control), 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30% of phytogenic premix following a feeding program for 42 days. HBXP supplementation did not show significant (p>0.05) improvement in the weight gain and feed intake of broiler chickens although significant (p < 0.05) improvement was shown in the feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg gain (N/kg) of broiler chickens fed treatment diet HBXP0.30% Furthermore, HBXP0.30% significantly reduced (p<0.05) the LDL- cholesterol levels as compared to the control diet and other treatment group fed lower levels of HBXP. Also, HBXP inclusion at 0.30% had better economic returns with lower feeding cost and higher return per naira invested of ₦1.96k. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.30% Herbanoplex® CP enhances feed efficiency, improves lipid profile, and increases profitability, positioning it as a viable natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production.
Keywords: Cost of production, feed efficiency, lipid profile, phytogenic premix